Morgan Evans Shares Personal Journey In Five-Part ‘Over For You’ Docuseries

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Morgan Evans. Photo: Chady Awad

Morgan Evans is taking viewers through the ups and downs of his 2022 musical journey with a new five-part documentary series, out now.

Directed by Peter John, the docuseries goes backstage and back home where Evans grew up, traveling to Australia and New Zealand, including the CMC Rocks QLD Festival, where he debuted his latest single, “Over For You,” for 25,000 people.

The CMC Rocks performance received hundreds of thousands of views on social media, and in response, “Over For You – Live in Melbourne” was then recorded and released to streaming outlets. “It felt like channeling all that sort of awfulness into something positive,” says Evans.

He recently released the “Over For You” music video, which was also directed by John, and captured in tandem with the documentary.

Industry Ink: Hailey Whitters, BMI, Masquerade Gala of Music City, Mixtape Music

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Hailey Whitters ‘Everything She Ain’t’ Certified Gold

Pictured (L-R): Seth England (CEO / Partner, Big Loud), Nicolle Galyon (Label Head / Songwriter, Songs & Daughters), Hailey Whitters, Jake Gear (Producer / EVP, Hang Your Hat Music), Matt Graham (Managing Partner + Head of Music, Range Media Partners), Chris Kappy (Founder + CNO, Make Wake Artists)

Hailey Whitters‘ hit song “Everything She Ain’t” has attained RIAA Gold certification. To celebrate the accomplishment, her team at Big Loud presented Whitters with the certification plaque in Nashville.

“Everything She Ain’t” appears on Whitters’ 2022 album Raised. It is climbing at country radio and recently passed 100 million global streams.

 

BMI At The Blue Room Kicks Off 2023

Pictured: Members of Carol, The Blonde Bones, Olivia Barton, and BMI’s Nina Carter and Tyler Burns backstage at the Blue Room. Photo Credit: Angelina Castillo for BMI.

“BMI At The Blue Room” held its first showcase on Feb. 22 with performances by BMI singer-songwriters Olivia Barton, Carol, and Blonde Bones.

In partnership with The Blue Room at Third Man Records, this quarterly concert features talents from the Nashville community across a variety of genres. OneRPM is the official sponsor of this series. Next up, “BMI At The Blue Room” returns for another showcase on May 24. The show will be free and open to all ages.

 

Fifth Masquerade Gala of Music City Raises $55,000

5th Annual Masquerade Gala of Music City organizers and talent

Masquerade Gala of Music City marked its fifth year by drawing over 800 attendees to Marathon Music Works last week. The night, filled with dining and entertainment, raised over $55,000 for The Aloe Family organization.

Performers for the evening included Tenille Arts, Levi Hummon, Leah Turner, Kat & Alex, and more. Guests also donned festive masks and enjoyed the event’s pop-up bars, local art displays and an extensive auction.

“We are blown away with the talent and generosity of Nashville coming together for such a memorable night,” says Natalie Firkser, The Aloe Family founder and Masquerade Gala of Music City organizer. “This will create a huge and positive impact on our community with The Aloe Family!”

 

Mixtape Music Welcomes Hannah Meacham

Hannah Meacham

Mixtape Music Publishing announces the addition of Hannah Meacham as Assistant Catalog Manager.

Meacham is a graduate from Middle Tennessee State University’s Recording Industry Program. Her job will include strengthening Mixtape’s footprint as a source for labels looking for new songs. Mixtape’s Bobby “McSongs” has a song on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Radio Chart, and two more releases coming this month.

Warner Music Nashville Promotes Bri Small, Claire Russo

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Bri Small, Claire Russo

Warner Music Nashville announces the promotion of Brianna (Bri) Small from Manager of Interactive Marketing to the new Director of Digital Content Strategy & Partnerships role. Coordinator of Interactive Marketing, Claire Russo, will rise to fill the vacancy.

“I am thrilled for Bri and for the way this role will serve to further enhance our label’s marketing capabilities and our artists’ reach,” says Torie Mason, SVP Strategic Marketing & Analytics. “Bri is an absolute star, and I can’t wait to watch her excel in this new, exciting, future-forward position.”

The newly created Director of Digital Content Strategy & Partnerships role will enhance end-to-end marketing campaigns and span the interactive, creative, publicity and business development departments.

Small graduated from St. Edward’s University with a Digital Media Management degree before starting her career at NBC Entertainment in Los Angeles. In addition to her accomplishments at WMN with artists including Ingrid Andress, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton and Bailey Zimmerman, she worked alongside the corporate DEI team to launch the Warner Music HBCU Immersion Program.

Russo holds a Entertainment Industry Studies and Music Business degree from Belmont University. She held several digital marketing internships leading her to a job at Crowd Surf after graduation. She joined Warner Music Nashville in February 2022.

“Claire is a champion for our artists. Her experience, passion and creativity make her the perfect fit to step into this role,” adds Mason.

Nate Smith Signs With WME

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Nate Smith. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Nate Smith has signed with WME for global representation in all areas. The breakout country star will be represented by the agency’s Joey Lee, Sloane Cavitt Logue and Braeden Rountree.

Smith’s Platinum, multi-week No. 1 “Whiskey On You” has amassed over 240 million total global on-demand streams to date. He recently made his late-night television debut performing the chart-topping hit on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and has appeared on multiple 2023 Artist to Watch lists including Amazon’s Breakthrough Artists to Watch, MusicRow’s Next Big Thing and CMT’s Listen Up, among others.

This summer, Smith will be joining Thomas Rhett on his “Home Team Tour.” He is also set to perform at several major country festivals including Stagecoach, Country Thunder Arizona and Country Jam Colorado. His debut, self-titled album will be released on April 28.

Neon Union Inks Pub Deal With Warner Chappell Music & JAB Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Warner Chappell’s Christina Wiltshire, Spencer Nohe, Sara Lattimer and Ben Vaughn, Neon Union’s Leo Brooks, Warner Chappell’s Phil May, Neon Union’s Andrew Milsaps, JAB’s Jimmie Allen, Warner Chappell’s BJ Hill and Alex Cheatam, JAB’s Aaron Benward and Warner Chappell’s Kayce Russell.

Neon Union‘s Leo Brooks and Andrew Millsaps have signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and JAB Entertainment.

Neon Union is managed by Jimmie Allen and business partner Aaron Benward as JAB Entertainment’s inaugural act. Brooks grew up in Miami and has collaborated with artists such as Pitbull, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Cee Lo Green and John Legend. Millsaps grew up in North Carolina and has been writing songs since the age of 13. When Allen heard the two perform separately, he was convinced they would make the perfect duo and introduced the two.

Together as Neon Union, Brooks and Millsaps are bringing a new sound to country with 808 kick drums married to a traditional lyric and anthemic pop melodies. Their debut single, “Bout Damn Time,” on Red Street Records, is out at country radio now. More new more music is slated to come from the pair later this year.

On The Cover: MusicRow’s 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue Features Tyler Hubbard

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MusicRow Magazine has released its 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue, with EMI Records/Universal Music Group Nashville’s Tyler Hubbard gracing its cover.

Hubbard’s face and name are familiar—and his voice is a staple on country radio. With 20 No. 1 singles including his debut solo single, countless awards and sold-out tours, Hubbard has already had a remarkable career as a performer and songwriter as one half of multi-Platinum duo Florida Georgia Line. This January, Hubbard released his debut solo album, Tyler Hubbard.

The Georgia-native and prolific songwriter has over 60 cuts from a diverse set of stars such as Jason Aldean and Kane Brown, among others. For the new 18-track album on EMI Nashville, Hubbard wrote on every song and teamed up with some of Nashville’s most prominent hitmakers. Co-produced with Jordan Schmidt, Hubbard’s album showcases his unique talents as well as continues to establish him as a powerhouse in country music. Hubbard’s debut solo single, “5 Foot 9,” hit No. 1 at radio in just six months, was recently certified Platinum by the RIAA, and has 315 million global streams to date.

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Hubbard is dedicated to healthy living and is passionate about travel and charity, supporting various Nashville charities, as well as global conservation organizations.

Inside the Country Radio & Streaming Issue, readers will find profiles of the 2023 CountryBreakout Award winners, which were also revealed today. Now in its 21st year, the CountryBreakout Awards honors the artists who earned the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart in 2022. The 2023 winners include Male Artist of the Year Morgan Wallen (Big Loud/Mercury/Republic), Female Artist of the Year Miranda Lambert (Vanner Records/RCA Nashville), Group/Duo of the Year Old Dominion (Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville), Breakout Artist of the Year Jackson Dean (Big Machine Records) and Independent Artist of the Year Cody Jinks (Late August Records). Warner Music Nashville was honored with Label of the Year for the first time, while Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for the fourth time. This year’s Reporter of the Year is WVNW’s Erik Lane.

Additionally, the Country Radio & Streaming Issue includes a look inside BBR Music Group’s successes and strategies with President of BMG Nashville, Jon Loba, and Executive Vice President Recorded Music – Nashville, JoJamie Hahr. Warner Music Nashville’s SVP of Radio, Kristen Williams, and SVP of Streaming, Tim Foisset, talk with MusicRow about the success of new chart-breaker Bailey Zimmerman, while Sony Music Nashville’s Exec. VP, Promotion & Artist Development, Steve Hodges, discusses the rise of Megan Moroney in this issue. Also featured is a compelling profile on Pandora’s Sr. Director of Country Programming, Johnny Chiang, who began his tenure with the company in July.

This issue also includes a look at ONErpm’s expansion to Nashville in a conversation with Tim Wipperman, who serves as the Managing Director of ONErpm’s Nashville Office. Elsewhere, MusicRow highlights the community growth aspects of secondary market radio with KAIR’s Program Director Neil Wieland. In a special feature, MusicRow Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson, shares his adventurous journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the tallest mountains in the world.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $20, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

ACM’s LEVel Up Presents Marketing & Business Management Workshop

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The Academy of Country Music’s LEVel Up: Lift Every Voice program has announced the third workshop in their series for undergraduate students interested in careers in the music industry.

The workshop focusing on marketing and business management will take place on March 3 from 3-5 p.m., and will include panelists from AristoPR, FBMM and ACM. Panelists will discuss the marketing efforts that help propel artists and organizations in the music industry, as well as the business aspects of helping artists achieve their career and financial goals.

Panelists include Duane Clark, Vice President, FBMM; Rory Levine, Vice President, Marketing, Digital Strategy & Engagement, ACM; and Christy Walker-Watkins, President, AristoPR; Co-Owner, The AristoMedia Group; Co-Founder, Nashville Meets London.

The workshop will be moderated by Daniel Killian, Manager, FBMM; and Kortney Toney, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Nashville Music Equality.

All participants must register to attend in-person or virtually, with sessions being filled first-come, first-served. The location for the workshop will be sent to those selected to attend in-person upon confirmed registration. Sign-ups for the workshop on Friday, March 3 can be found here. Future installments will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

CRS Happy Hour Opening Reception To Feature CMT’s Next Women Of Country

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CMT Next Women of Country Julia Cole, Ashley Cooke, Miko Marks and O.N.E The Duo are set to perform during the Country Radio Seminar 2023 Happy Hour Opening Reception on the Pinnacle Stage at the Omni Nashville Hotel on March 13 from 5:15-6:30 p.m. CT.

The Happy Hour CMT Next Women of Country Takeover showcase will highlight the four up-and-coming female artists representing CMT’s Next Women of Country, and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CMT Next Women of Country program, a leading industry platform for rising female artists to display their talent. Sponsors of the takeover include BMI, CMT and Visionary Media Group.

“CRS is thrilled to partner with CMT, BMI and Visionary Media Group to celebrate CMT’s decade of support, promotion and development of female talent in our genre,” says CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis. “The commitment of Leslie Fram and her team at CMT to provide a platform for the Next Women of Country and all nine classes is impressive, important and ongoing. CRS is honored to be part of this process in 2023.”

CRS 2023 will take place March 13 -15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Steven Curtis Chapman Makes History With 50th No. 1 ‘Don’t Lose Heart’

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Steven Curtis Chapman has achieved another career milestone, as his latest single, “Don’t Lose Heart,” reaches the top of the charts, becoming his 50th career No. 1.

Chapman is the first artist to achieve the feat in the Christian industry, and shares the historic achievement with just a few select artists including Madonna, George Strait and Conway Twitty. His single “His Eyes” from 1988’s Real Life Conversations album first put Chapman on the course to his plethora of No. 1s, a list that also includes “I Will Be Here,” “The Great Adventure,” “Dive,” “Live Out Loud” and “For The Sake Of The Call.”

“We are so honored and excited to be a part of Steven’s 50th No. 1 song with ‘Don’t Lose Heart,'” says Holly Zabka, President, Provident Entertainment/Sony Music. “This unprecedented and monumental achievement for Steven is a testament to the incredible artist and songwriter he is and can only be outshined by the countless lives that have been changed by his music.”

“I’m completely blown away by the support for this song and for my music, even after so many years,” Chapman exclaims. “To ever have a No. 1 song at radio as an artist/songwriter is a dream come true, and to have fifty is simply unbelievable! This only happens because of an amazing team and a community of friends around me who have believed in the unbelievable. I’m grateful and humbled beyond words.”

Chapman’s single “Don’t Lose Heart” was released in late 2022 and was the most-added song at radio for three straight weeks. As the first single from his most recent album, Still, Chapman was inspired to write the song through the journey of grief and loss he and his family have traveled. He released a new version of the tune earlier this month featuring Mitchell Tenpenny.

Chapman is the most-awarded artist in Christian music history. With 59 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, five Grammys and an American Music Award, he has sold more than 11 million albums with 10 RIAA-Certified Gold or Platinum albums to his credit.

Fans will get the chance to hear many of his 50 chart-toppers when he hits the road on his new “Still Tour” this Friday, March 3. The new tour will visit 24 markets throughout the spring.

John Carter Cash & Ana Cristina Cash Pay Tribute To The Man In Black At Nashville SC Opener

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John Carter Cash, Ana Cristina Cash and band at GEODIS Park. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

On Saturday (Feb. 25), John Carter Cash and his wife Ana Cristina Cash performed at Nashville SC’s ‘Man In Black’ home opener at GEODIS Park to honor the life and legacy of his father Johnny Cash.

Ana Cristina Cash & John Carter Cash. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

In front of a near sold-out crowd on the eve of Johnny Cash’s 91st birthday, John Carter performed the Nashville SC Guitar Riff to kick off the match, which was then followed by a touching halftime performance tribute alongside Ana Cristina, which included a medley of Johnny Cash hits including “I Walk The Line” and “Ring of Fire.”

John Carter Cash. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The game—which resulted in a 2-0 win over New York City FC—marked the first time that Nashville SC donned their new ‘Man in Black’ Kit. Designed to honor the legacy and life of one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time—and created in collaboration with the estate of Johnny Cash, Sandbox Succession, and Wasserman Music—the jersey is embellished by dark graphite and iron metallic accents including a jocktag of Johnny Cash’s iconic photo at Folsom Prison and Cash’s autograph on the back-of-the-neck.

Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

In the spirit of the Man in Black Match, Nashville SC player Walker Zimmerman celebrated his opening goal—and first Nashville SC goal of the season—by using the corner flag as a mic to sing “Ring Of Fire.” The match also included performances from country singer-songwriter Abbey Cone, sister duo Tigirlily Gold, Walker Montgomery and DJ-Wooddrowe.